Nigel Carr loved going to Dublin. If Northern Ireland in 1987 was reduced from the friendliest of communities into an angry parochial backwater, then Dublin was an escape from all that, Grafton Street with its bustle and noise, Baggot Street with its pubs.

A Cork man facing a three-month jail term yesterday for masturbating behind two women visiting the city two years ago has pleaded for one last chance to co-operate with the probation service to avoid jail.

The game could prove to be Paddy Jackson's first on Irish soil since his Ulster departure in April 2018.

Conor Murray’s name would be among the first on most people’s Ireland World Cup squad but memories of his own ascent to the 2011 tournament are keeping the scrum-half on his toes during the team’s training camps.

Donal Lenihan on the players and performances that could shade today’s meeting of the European superpowers in Newcastle.

Paddy Jackson is leaving French Top 14 club Perpignan for the Gallagher Premiership where he will play under a former Munster and Ireland coach next season.

For 20 years Michael Corcoran has been working in RTÉ, covering and commentating on the Irish provinces’ exploits in Europe, writes Kieran Shannon.

London Irish secured promotion back to the Gallagher Premiership after recording a 46-7 victory over Richmond.

"I know I’m from Dublin, but I’ve lived here for the last eight years, and with my fiancée Lisa and daughter Beth born here, I know we will be back again. I’m from Munster and I’m a Limerick man now, and it holds a special place in my heart."

Declan Kidney’s London Irish embark on life in the Championship tonight with the former Munster and Ireland boss having assembled a squad he hopes is capable of not just returning to the Premiership but staying there.

Munster hit the new ground running last night as they won their opening pre-season game on Musgrave Park’s freshly installed playing surface to defeat Declan Kidney’s London Irish.

Kildare man Morgan Buckley takes over the role after eight years with rugby's governing body, where his brief was growing the game globally.

The IRFU has promised to do everything in its power to extend Joe Schmidt’s tenure as Ireland head coach beyond next year’s World Cup.

Munster legend Paul O’Connell wants the province to develop a production system to develop talent from grassroots and schools level and not rely on ‘short term fixes’.

The former Ireland and Munster coach has moved into the director of rugby role at London Irish.

London Irish boss Declan Kidney played down the impact of the club's new coaching staff.

Declan Kidney could not suppress a laugh at the final question as he was unveiled as London Irish’s new technical director, a few hours after Nick Kennedy’s shock resignation as the Exiles’ director of rugby.

Jerry Flannery was a member of the Irish team which completed the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009. An outstanding hooker who helped Munster to win the Heineken Cup in 2006 and 2008, he represented Ireland on 41 occasions. Ahead of Ireland’s bid for more Grand Slam glory on Saturday he spoke to Charlie Mulqueen

Two former coaches of Irish rugby, Declan Kidney and Les Kiss, are reportedly set to return to top-flight coaching at Aviva Premiership team London Irish

It’s less than a decade since Declan Kidney’s Irish team secured that famous Grand Slam but it may as well be a page ripped out of an ancient history textbook as Joe Schmidt’s current generation of players go about writing their own chapters.

Harry Connolly is a veteran of all 40 Cork Jazz Festivals having played at each and every one.

Former Munster and Ireland lock Donnacha O’Callaghan will bring the curtain down on his illustrious career at the end of this season.

Poet Thomas McCarthy celebrated Ronan O’Gara with a specially commissioned poem recognising his prowess as an outhalf, referencing his record 2,625 points total with Munster. 

Ireland is famous for its traditions, particularly the overwhelming sense of connection and loyalty people still retain for their own community - be that a small village, a city, a county or even a province.

Donncha O’Callaghan has admitted lining out for Worcester Warriors against Munster on Friday was one of the most ‘emotional’ nights of an incredible career.

David Wallace believes Munster need to look beyond the dressing room walls for answers to their crisis, with former head coach Declan Kidney and new Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell two of the men he feels could make a difference at the struggling province.

Pre-tax profits at the four-star Mespil Hotel in Dublin more than doubled to €2.39m last year, according to newly filed accounts.

98 students from 15 sports have won scholarships from UCC for their sporting and academic excellence.

All the signs have been there: the pre-tournament contract extension, the ominous warm-up performances, the stalled momentum…

Erin’s Own 0-16 Carrigtwohill 0-8 (Cork County SHC): There was more edge to Niall Kidney’s post-match reflection than the entire 60-minute effort churned out by his Carrigtwohill team.

Carrigtwohill 2-13 Ballymartle 1-13

Michael Bohane will carry Munster’s hopes into Sunday’s All-Ireland intermediate final against Ulster champion Paul O’Reilly at Lyre near Clonakilty.